Bishkek – September 27, 2021 – On September 24, the meeting on climate change, ecology and green economy development was held, at which the document “Nationally Determined Contribution of the Kyrgyz Republic” (NDC) was considered. The meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister of the country, Mr. Ulukbek Maripov and attended by the head of the State Committee on Ecology and Climate of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ms. Dinara Kutmanova, representatives of government agencies, Head of the UNDP Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management Cluster, Ms. Lira Zholdubaeva, Coordinator of the UNDP Climate Promise Ms. Baktygul Ysabekova.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) represent pledges on climate action which seek to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5 °C. NDCs embody efforts by each country to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. In 2015, most of the countries including Kyrgyzstan submitted their Intended NDCs, which are considered to be the original country commitments.

The Paris Agreement calls on countries to revise and strengthen their NDCs every five years. However, it is increasingly apparent that urgent steps must be taken to reverse current unsustainable trends, leading to high expectations for governments to commit to ambitious pledges that leave no one behind.

At the 76th session of the UN General Assembly, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Sadyr Japarov made a statement: “At the same time, Kyrgyzstan will try to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The Kyrgyz economy is gradually "greening" with more and more carbon-free energy sources being put into operation, meaning, first of all, hydroelectric power plants. In order to ensure energy security, Kyrgyzstan intends to gradually implement a number of projects for the construction of hydropower plants, which are environmentally friendly sources of energy. Access to modern, clean and affordable energy services in developing countries is critical to achieving the global development goals of Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”

Thus, during the meeting of the Coordinating Council following the discussion, the document "Nationally Determined Contributions of the Kyrgyz Republic" NDC was approved. It will now be sent to the 26th Conference of the Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP26) which will be held November 1-12, 2021 in Glasgow, UK.

The updated NDC of the Kyrgyz Republic states that in 2025 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions will be reduced by 16.63% of the level of GHG emissions under the "Business as usual" scenario, and subject to international support by 36.61%. In 2030, GHG emissions will be reduced by 15.97% of the GHG emissions under the "Business as usual" scenario, and with international support, by 43.62%.

The NDCs are sent to the UNFCCC secretariat every five years. To strengthen ambition over time, the Paris Agreement ensures that subsequent NDCs are projections of progress over previous ones and reflect its highest possible ambition.

The purpose of the NDC KR document is the sustainable and balanced development of the country, taking into account climate change, environmental and socio-economic problems equally. The updated NDC of the Kyrgyz Republic sets out a climate change strategy for 2030 and recognizes the importance of adopting a low-carbon development strategy and a National Adaptation Policy (NAP).

The NDC development process for the Kyrgyz Republic was supported by the NDC Partnership and the UNDP "Climate Promise" initiative with overall coordination of the State Committee on Ecology and Climate of the Kyrgyz Republic with the participation of an interdepartmental working group, involvement of experts and representatives of the scientific and civil society, as well as the private sector and youth. In the process of developing the NDCs, at various stages, the IRENA, GIZ, EBRD, European Union, FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, UNITAR, other UN agencies and international development partners contributed.